In an effort to find a permanent solution to the fishermen issue with Sri Lanka, External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj held a high-level meeting with various stakeholders in New Delhi on Friday.

The spokesperson of the External Affairs Ministry said, the recent release of 77 Indian fishermen by Sri Lanka and their repatriation set the immediate backdrop to the meeting. He said, the meeting deliberated on various aspects and all stakeholders agreed with Mrs Swaraj that it was important to resolve the issues quickly.

The meeting was attended by representatives of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Odisha and the Fishermen Association of Tamil Nadu. Officials of the

Prime Minister’s Office, Indian Navy, Coast Guard and Ministries of Agriculture, Home, Defence and External Affairs also attended the meeting.

The 9th India-Sri Lanka Joint Commission Meeting in February had agreed on the need to work out a permanent solution to the fishermen issue.